UEFA plans for third European competition confirmed by Juventus president

A third UEFA club competition is set to be introduced from the 2021-22 season, the head of the association representing Europe's biggest clubs said on Tuesday.

European Club Association (ECA) chairman Andrea Agnelli told his members at a meeting in Split, Croatia, that the new event would bring the overall number of clubs involved in UEFA competition to 96.

"Pending approval of the UEFA executive committee, the 'green light' has been given to introduce a third competition, bringing the overall number of clubs to 96, as of the 2021-22 season," Agnelli said.

Agnelli is also Juventus president, occupying one of two seats allocated to club representatives. UEFA were not immediately available for comment.

UEFA currently have two club competitions -- the Champions League, which features 32 teams in the group stage, and the second-tier Europa League, which has 48.

Europe used to have a third competition for winners of domestic cup competitions, known as the Cup Winners' Cup, but it was abolished in 1999. Domestic cup winners now enter the Europa League.

Agnelli was due to hold a news conference following the meeting later on Tuesday. The ECA has previously called for more clubs to be involved in European competitions and a "greater certainty of matches" for participating clubs.

Agnelli also repeated his call from last year for a drastic overhaul of the international match calendar, which is drawn up by football's governing body FIFA and allocates dates for national team games.

"A detailed assessment of the existing International Match Calendar is required prior to presenting a new model post-2024," he said. "The current model needs modernising.